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Lost cost rig set-up

M

MexEatxDead

Feb 25, 2011
10
2
Massachusetts
#1
Hey guys I'm making an upgrade to something I can actually gig with now that my band is starting to get together. I'm six string player and my budget is around $850. I play everything but my band plays metal so I was looking for an Ampeg tone. I was looking at the Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex and PF-210HE Stack but I'm pretty undecided, any input and help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Zack.
 
#2
I'm actually looking at the same rig. You can grab it on Amazon for 800 right now with free shipping.
I currently use a SWR Working Man's 10, which I love for practicing at home, but I'm starting to gig a lot more and after playing the portaflex head at GuitarCenter, I fell in love with it. I was playing through a 8/10 cab at the time, and I switched to a 4/10. Both sounded amazing. The combo deal is the best bang for the buck, but I am a little hesitant about the flip-top. I would thing it would compromise the cabinet sound, but from all the reviews I have read, this apparently is not a problem.
I think I am going to go ahead and pull the trigger on this. I guess we shall see how it goes.
 
#3
For metal you wont have enough volume with a 210, or even two 210's. I would find a used 810e or two 410HE's and pair that up with the PF-500. The used market is your friend if you have a limited budget.

MexEatxDead said:
Hey guys I'm making an upgrade to something I can actually gig with now that my band is starting to get together. I'm six string player and my budget is around $850. I play everything but my band plays metal so I was looking for an Ampeg tone. I was looking at the Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex and PF-210HE Stack but I'm pretty undecided, any input and help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Zack.
Click to expand...
 
#4
Six strings and metal? I ended up running a GK 1001RB-II into an Ampeg 810E or Ampeg SVT-II into a Genz Benz 610T-XB2. Anything less would not cut it, even for some of my punk bands!

I've yet to find a 410 that'll match up against two 4x12's (or more!), a loud drummer, and a screamer doing highs and lows that muddy up the mix. No keyboards even present!

Edit: The GK & Ampeg are a great combination IMO. I'd recommend them for a loud budget minded rig. I got the head for $450 used and shipped to me. You can usually find them down to $350 or so. The cab cost me $75 and $150 in new speakers. You can find 810E's for $300-$600 in good working condition.
 
#5
At an $850 budget buying used would be the best way to go IMO.

Ampeg tone I'd look into either the PF-500 or look for a deal on the Ampeg SVT-7PRO. You can sometimes get a great deal on a used Ampeg 810E, 610HLF, or the 410HLF so check the TB classifieds or Craigslist.
 
#13
Do not get Ampeg cabinets for metal. They are inefficient muddy crap designed only to handle deep low end, which doesn't project from a bass cabinet design nearly as well as a proper subwoofer. For $850 I'd start with an SWR Goliath III 4x10 (~$500 used, louder and clearer than an Ampeg 8x10), and start with whatever amp gets you 400W of power, keep your eyes peeled for an SVP-CL preamp down the road to get your Ampeg tone, then swap the amp for an IPR 1600. Then you'd have my rig, with which I enjoy scaring the **** out of SVT owners at every opportunity :)
 

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